Monday, February 16, 2009

Well, it has been a while since I have blogged. Life has gotten pretty hectic between school and other projects. I have been able to do a bit of weaving, but artwork remains unfinished. Since school is on break this week, I am hopeful that I will pick up where I left off with a mask come Friday. When April hits, I absolutely need to be back in the barn studio preparing for the summer influx of tourists.

The other day, someone said that we only have 16 weeks of school left before summer break. Wow! Time has just flown by this year, as it usually does. There is still so much left to do. I am currently working on writing our art plan for the Gifted and Talented component of our program. Grading is due in a couple weeks, and our big push with literacy and differentiation is keeping me busy with re-working some lesson plans and rubrics. The student art show at the library will be coming down soon (see photo above) and before I know it I will be preparing student work for our big art show on Projects' Night in May. Also, students will be getting artwork ready for sale at the West Quoddy Visitor Center over the summer, and work needs to be prepped for the Women's Club Art Show. Things are happening fast!

I am excited to be working with a group next week in Ellsworth to review grant applications. It has been an interesting process so far and I am enjoying the reading. An inside view to the world of giving and receiving grants. Plus, I get to spend a day with some super neat folks!

The most exciting project right now, though, is that I am working closely (madly!) with Maine artist Natasha Mayers to apply for a grant to bring an amazing community art project to Lubec. I have a good feeling about it - and will write more on it later as details become more specific. The organizer in me is coming to the forefront. It all began when my dad coerced me into organizing a parade for Hallowell when I was 18 years old. I ended up doing that for three years, then was enlisted to be on various committees for different community projects. I enjoy the writing, networking, publicity, excitement on event day, and the general creativity of it all. Now, there just isn't enough time to do everything I enjoy, as often as I would like. I hope to be able to do more of this type of thing down the road to help move my art career along. It's a lot of work though. For now, I just need to be able to find a balance, keep my artwork going, stay on top of teaching responsibilities, and...most importantly....maintain my sanity. What's left of it anyway.

On another note, my friend Ruta runs this nifty business called Tours of Lubec and Cobscook. Check it out if you would like to get a better feel for this end-of-the-earth area we live in. Lots of treasures to be found here.http://www.toursoflubecandcobscook.com/

About Me

Shanna Wheelock sculpts and weaves in downeast Maine nestled amongst spruce trees and critters. She studied ceramics in the early 1990’s as a fine arts student and took to weaving a few years later when awarded a fellowship. She spent many years facilitating workshops for women’s groups, inmates, children, and exchange students, and is a state certified visual arts teacher and Weaving a Life Circle Leader. She recognizes arts as a pathway to healing and is grateful for her enchanted life on the coast, in the easternmost U.S. town of Lubec, with her husband the poet and their two cats "Bello" and "Bouli".

"Like" Cobscook Pottery on FACEBOOK

To follow Cobscook Pottery on Facebook, just click the link below. When you get to the page, click the "Like" button. You'll get daily posts of our hours, vending venues, website updates, and photos of new pottery as well as sculptural work.
Cobsccok Pottery on Facebook: link

EARTH LOOM

We built this loom with a Maine Arts Teachers Fellowship grant. It is housed here at Cobscook Pottery, right next to our fire circle. The installation ceremony was amazing - with a group of close friends, chanting, feasting, and praying for Peace.

ZATI MASKMAKING

Hecate (woven and felted wool)

ZATI MASKMAKING

This is my favorite Zati mask that I have made, named "Laughing Tree Spirit." When I wear this mask, I can't help but fill with laughter. The face sometimes appears quiet, but when worn, takes on a more jovial appearance.

ZATI MASKMAKING

This mask is named "Babi." It was the first Zati mask that I ever made. I asked for the animal spirits to make their presence, and they did - with a Baboon! Not exactly what I was expecting. But in this process, I am open and willing to learn/listen to whatever messages are brought to me.

JOURNEY

This is the first tapestry that I ever made on my beaver stick loom. The piece, for me, tells the story of a Shaman's journey through the underworld.

THE MACHINE

The General

THE MACHINE

"Arsenal"

THE MACHINE

"Missile"

THE MACHINE

"Grenade"

COBSCOOK POTTERY

COBSCOOK POTTERY

COBSCOOK POTTERY

Yunomi

EARTHMOTHER

I have been sculpting fertility Goddesses since I was a student at USM, back in the early 1990's. I have made these "Mamas" in earthenware, stoneware, and raku. They have evolved slightly over the years, but the main idea the same. I love to work with the figure - and this is perhaps my favorite form to sculpt and draw - a voluptuous torso.

THE FIGURE

This was the first figure drawing that I ever did, at USM, about twenty years ago.

THE FIGURE

A quick study of model with hiking shoe

THE FIGURE

This was one of our 10 minute warm-up exercises.

THE FIGURE

Annie's Jeans

MINI POTS

These are three typical mini pots that I make. I sell lots of them either through my studio or at Northern Tides, a gift shop here in Lubec.

MINI POTS

SAKE SET

I like Japanese culture and pottery. This comes through in my pottery, with the Yunomi cups, rice bowls, and Sake Sets. This set is in the "Barley" glaze, but I also make them in "Earth and Sky", "Speckled Blue-Grey", and "Butterfly" glazes.

MOON TREE SERIES

MOON TREE SERIES

In this piece I opted to glaze the branches a darker, contrasting color. In some respects I like it better than the more simple, purely celadon piece. However, there is something to be said for quiet beauty.

CHOP SIGNATURE

Most of my new work has this new chop signature. SLW: Shanna Lynn Wheelock